An ergonomic keyboard is designed to minimize muscle strain and other related problems resulting from extended usage. Ergonomic keyboards allow the wrists and hands to rest and move naturally while keyboarding. Despite the fact that ergonomic keyboards do not necessarily eliminate complex cases of repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) and carpal tunnel syndrome, they do however offer some degree of relief to people with moderate levels of such problems.

There is no specific definition or a precise design for an ergonomic keyboard. Usually, these keyboards either have contoured designs, adjustable slopes, or are split in half allowing the user to type at a different angle than the typical straight keyboard. Other keyboards in this category come with a rounded base or a uniquely designed wrist rest.

Computer Keyboards Market Dynamics

Ergonomic computer keyboards are becoming popular with consumers who use them for significant amounts of data entry or other tasks involving keyboarding such as gaming. Typing for long periods causes wrist pain and other muscular stress related problems that can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome if not managed immediately.

Increasing demand for improved devices for performing repetitive tasks at workplaces is driving growth of the ergonomic computer keyboards market. Several large enterprises provide ergonomic devices and furniture to their workers (office chairs, desks, monitor stands, keyboards, and other items) to build a healthy workplace and enhance productivity.

Computer Keyboards Market Value and Forecast

The global computer keyboards market was valued at US$ 4,780.5 Mn in 2014 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 2.3% during the forecast period (2015–2025). Emergence of high quality products at low price points is a major factor propelling market growth.

Computer Keyboards Market Analysis, by Type

The global computer keyboards market is classified on the basis of type as basic and ergonomic keyboards. The ergonomic keyboards segment was valued US$ 493.1 Mn in 2014 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period. Presently, the basic keyboards segment dominates the global computer keyboards market. However, with growing popularity of ergonomic keyboards, the basic segment is expected to lose significant market share during the forecast period.

Computer Keyboards Market Analysis, by Region

North America leads the market for ergonomic keyboards in terms of value, however, in terms of unit shipment Asia Pacific excluding Japan accounts for the largest share of the total computer keyboards market. Around five million people suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome in the U.S. each year, as per research conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In order to curb such cases, North America is adopting ergonomic keyboards to facilitate improved muscular support and movement. In order to leverage this opportunity, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in this region offer ergonomic keyboards in various shapes and sizes, further propelling market growth.

Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) is anticipated to register substantial growth during the forecast period. This is primarily due to increase in the number of multinational companies such as Tata Group, Intel Corporation, Global Sources, Induchem AG, and HubSpot, Inc. establishing offices and in Asia Pacific. In addition, decreasing prices of ergonomic keyboards owing to robust competition from regional manufactures is further contributing to market growth in this region.

Ergonomic keyboards are designed to incorporate ergonomic considerations such as unique angled design, key sensitivity, and wrist support - allowing the wrists and hands to rest and move more naturally while operating keyboards. Despite the fact that ergonomic keyboards do not necessarily eliminate complex cases of repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) and carpal tunnel syndrome, they do however offer some degree of relief to people with moderate levels of such problems. Ergonomic keyboards are being adopted at a brisk pace by several industries such as IT, oil & gas, energy, and communications. Rising awareness about RSIs and carpal tunnel syndrome is expected to encourage further adoption of ergonomic keyboards leading to substantial market growth during the forecast period.

Report Synopsis

Future Market Insights offers a 10-year forecast of the global computer keyboards market between 2015 and 2025. The report defines 2014 as the base year and provides data for the following 12 months. In terms of value, the computer keyboards market is expected to register a CAGR of 2.3% during the forecast period.

Report Description

This research report provides a detailed analysis of ergonomic keyboards to identify factors driving the popularity of these keyboards across different verticals. This study demonstrates market dynamics and trends of regions, which influence the current nature and future status of the computer keyboards market during the forecast period. Additionally, the report comprises segments such as end-user preference analysis, cases of RSIs, and overview of different keyboard layouts to provide a clear picture of the market. A detailed analysis of the value chain and Porter’s five forces analysis further empowers clients to formulate strategies for every stage of their business.

Rising demand for comfortable devices at workplaces is advancing the adoption of ergonomic keyboards, which have become quite popular among employees who perform significant amounts typing. Additionally, leading players operating in the industry are marketing products through multiple distribution channels to increase sales across the globe. This ensures wider and easier consumer access to ergonomic products and boosts market growth.

This report provides FMI’s analysis on key trends, drivers, and restraints influencing the global computer keyboards market. The weighted average model is leveraged to identify the impact of key growth drivers and restraints across various geographies in order to help clients frame accurate business strategies.

On the basis of type, the market is segmented into basic keyboards and ergonomic keyboards. A detailed analysis has been provided for every segment in terms of market size. The ergonomic keyboard market is further categorised on the basis of type (vertical, compact, adjustable, split, and others), switching mechanism (membrane based and mechanical), size (standard, laptop, thumb-size, and numeric keyboards), and applications (corporate, personal, and gaming). The report provides a detailed analysis for each segment in terms of market value (US$ Mn) and market volume (thousand units) for the computer keyboards market across the globe. Key regions assessed in this report include North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific (excluding Japan), Japan, and Middle East & Africa. In addition to this, a detailed analysis covering key trends, absolute dollar opportunity, and BPS analysis has also been presented.

Given the ever-fluctuating global economy, the report not only forecast the market on the basis of CAGR, but also analyses the impact of key parameters in each year of the forecast period. This helps client to understand the predictability of the market and identify the right opportunities across the market during the forecast period. Also, a significant feature of this report is the analysis of all vital segments in terms of absolute dollar opportunity. Absolute dollar opportunity is critical for assessing the level of revenue opportunity in the market.

In the final section of the report, computer keyboards market competitive landscape is included in order to present the client with a dashboard view based on the categories of providers in the value chain, product portfolios, and key differentiators. This section is important for gleaning insights about the participants in the market’s ecosystem. Additionally, it enables identification and evaluation of key competitors based on in-depth assessment of their capabilities and successes in the marketplace. The report provides comprehensive profiles of the providers to evaluate their long-term and short-term strategies, key offerings, and recent developments. Key competitors covered in this report include Microsoft Corporation, Logitech International SA, Kinesis Corporation, Gold Touch Enterprises Inc., Adesso Inc., Fellowes Inc., Posturite Ltd., Datadesk Technologies, Fentek Industries, Inc., and Shenzhen V4 Electronics Co. Ltd.

Research Methodology

In order to evaluate the market size, revenue generated by computer keyboards manufacturers has been taken into consideration. Average selling price for each product, across each region was taken into account for estimating market revenue across respective regions. Moreover, market estimates have been analysed keeping in mind different factors including technology, environment, economic, legal, and social. In order to provide correct market forecast statistics, the current market was sized as it forms the basis of computer keyboards market during the forecast period. Given the characteristics of the market, we triangulated the outcome of three different types of data including secondary research, primary research, and data from paid databases. Primary research represents the bulk of our research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Secondary research includes key players’ product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents, recent trade journals, technical writing, internet sources, trade associations, agencies, and statistical data from government websites. This collated data from primary and secondary data sources is then analysed by the in-house research panel using market research statistical tools.